International Journal of Transpersonal Studies

Volume 37 | Issue 2 Article 14

9-1-2018 Training in Aura Reading: Results from a Small Quasi-Experimental Study in India (Research Note) Srikanth Nagaraja Jois World Pranic Healing Foundation, Saraswathipuram, Mysuru, India

Sowmya Shivarajapura Nagaraj World Pranic Healing Foundation, Saraswathipuram, Mysuru, India

Krishnamurthy Nagendra Prasad World Pranic Healing Foundation, Saraswathipuram, Mysuru, India

Lancy D'Souza University of Mysore, Mysuru, India

Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.ciis.edu/ijts-transpersonalstudies Part of the Philosophy Commons, Religion Commons, and the Transpersonal Psychology Commons

Recommended Citation Jois, S. N., Nagaraj, S. S., Prasad, K. N., & D'Souza, L. (2018). Training in aura reading: Results from a small quasi-experimental study in India (Research note). International Journal of Transpersonal Studies, 37 (2). http://dx.doi.org/https://doi.org/10.24972/ ijts.2018.37.2.171

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License. This Research Note is brought to you for free and open access by the Journals and Newsletters at Digital Commons @ CIIS. It has been accepted for inclusion in International Journal of Transpersonal Studies by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ CIIS. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Training in Aura Reading: Results from a Small Quasi-Experimental Study in India (Research Note) Srikanth Nagaraja Jois Sowmya Shivarajapura Nagaraj Krishnamurthy Nagendra Prasad World Pranic Healing Foundation Saraswathipuram, Mysuru, India Lancy D'Souza University of Mysore Mysuru, India

The aura is believed to be an invisible field surrounding the physical body, interpenetrating and extending beyond it. The present study examines whether appearance of an aura-like phenomenon around the hand can be perceived visually after a short training session. A quasi-experimental research design was employed with 47 participants with a mean age of 19 years. Results from before and after attempting to view an aura-like phenomenon around the hand were analyzed using Contingency Coefficient analysis. The results suggest that an aura-like phenomenon can be detected around the hand since the participants narrated several experiences that were novel (p<.001). We found a significant increase (p = .009) in the number of reports of positive thoughts among the respondents during the session in which an aura-like phenomenon was experienced.

Keywords: Prana, aura, aura-like phenomenon, bioplasmic, positive thoughts

he Tittiriya Upanishad describes five layers and is responsible for various physiological functions of human presence (Frawley, 2005), namely, within the body (Raina, 2016). Tannamaya kosha (food sheath), pranamaya Traditionally, there are three principal kosha (energy sheath), manomaya kosha (mental sources of prana: the air, from which is derived sheath), vignanamaya kosha (cognitive sheath), and air prana; the earth, from which ground prana is anandamaya kosha (blissful sheath) which envelope obtained; and the sun, from which solar prana is the atma or soul. The discussion that follows will gained. During the process of inhalation, air prana focus on a phenomenon traditionally associated is absorbed by the lungs and energy centers of the with the pranamaya kosha, which is associated bioplasmic body. Bioplasmic is a term combining with pranic energy (Raina, 2016) or the life energy bio, meaning life, and plasma, a term Master Sui believed to keep the body alive and healthy. (2015) has used to refer to the physical human body The concept of prana, or subtle energy and and the electromagnetic field believed to surround methods of its use for healing has been known from it—often referred to as the human aura (Jalil, Taib, ancient times (Jain & Mills, 2010). Prana is not the Abdullah, & Yunus, 2011; Kowalewski, 2004). breath; it is believed to be that which causes the motion Advanced yogis or saints are sometimes of the breath, the vitality of the breath as described by represented with a dazzling halo of light around Vivekananda Swami (2015). Prana is also associated the head area (Sui, 2015), which may be an effort with feelings and emotions. It is the medium of to represent an aura-like phenomenon (ALP). exchange in the whole psychophysiological system Biophoton images using sensitive optical instruments

ResearchInternational Note: Journal Training of inTranspersonal Aura Reading Studies, 37(2), 2018,International pp. 171–176 Journal of Transpersonal Studies 171 https://doi.org/10.24972/ijts.2018.37.2.171 have­ revealed the existence of emission of light by An ALP can reportedly also be felt and seen plants (Creath & Schwartz, 2004), which might be an around the hands (Jois, Manasa, D’Souza, Prasad, analogous phenomenon to what has been described 2017c), but to date, few studies have been conducted as a human aura. In a study by Kafatos et al. (2015) on the perception of an ALP around the hand. It has using photomultipliers, it was reported that living been suggested that the best conditions for seeing organisms give out a pulsating glow. According to ALP with the naked eye involve dim illumination, Priyal and Ramkumar (2014), human aura consists of the use of peripheral vision, and a relaxed, attentive light of various colors. state of mind (Milán et al., 2012). A method to It has been suggested that measurement of measure an ALP around the human body, including fields around the human body might be used as a around the fingers, was developed by Lee, Lee, and holistic method for medical screening (Lee, Khong, Ahn (2004). Ghista, 2006), because this field is thought to represent the physical, mental, emotional, and the Study spiritual condition of the person (Prakash, 2015). In he current study tested whether short training a study by Rowold (2016) on the human biofield, Twould result in an experience of ALP around it was found that the quality of life of participants one’s own hands. was accurately related to information obtained Method by practitioners from the biofield. Similarly, Rubik This study introduced a simple technique for (2004) carried out a study to estimate the state inducing perceptions of ALP to 47 young adults and of health of the organs by evaluating ALP around asked participants what they experienced as they the fingers and suggested that positive changes in viewed their hand, as well as about the emotional the aura might enhance the health of the subjects. impact of engaging in the exercise. Preliminary work with acupoint protocols thought to Sample influence a human ALP are showing some promise Opportunity sampling resulted in a sample of (Feinstein, 2018). 47 bachelor’s level students aged 17 to 25 (mean age Experiencing perception of an ALP does not = 19.34) working to obtain a degree in Naturopathy necessarily require special talent or a spiritual gift. and Yoga Science from a government Nature Cure With proper training and guidance, along with some and Yoga College in Mysuru, South India. Of these, degree of concentration and appropriate conditions, 26% were male, and 74% were female, from a it has been suggested that one can view the air variety of religious backgrounds including Hindu prana, ground prana, and aura surrounding trees (85%), Muslim (11%), and Christian (4%) (Table 1). (Jois & D’Souza, 2017a; Jois, Manasa, & D’Souza, Students from urban backgrounds represented 62% 2017b; Sui, 2015). In a study conducted by Schwartz of the sample, with 38% from rural communities, et al. (2004), there were varied descriptions of subtle with no prior experience in attempting to perceive energy experiences among individuals, and training ALP and with no previous instruction in methods was found to improve bioenergy awareness. such as Reiki or pranic healing, that is believed In a study conducted by Jois and D’Souza to use ALP for healing purposes. Individuals with (2017a), a statistically significant number of impaired sensory perception, such as poor vision, participants experienced a positive change in the were excluded from the study. well-being while having the experience of viewing air Procedure and ground prana. Increased positive psychological A quasi-experimental design was used in states were experienced by depressive subjects this study. None of the authors had any previous when an ALP was manipulated during a pranic association with the students. The first author healing session (Rajagopal et al., 2018). Whether or approached the Principal of the college and sought not these experiences are in some way veridical, they permission to conduct the session. After obtaining appear to have a beneficial effect on the individuals the oral permission from the principal of the having the experience. college, two classes were chosen by the principal

172 International Journal of Transpersonal Studies Jois et al. for the study purpose. All students in the selected Measure classes volunteered to participate in the study. A brief open-ended questionnaire was used Participation was not tied to any compensation to record participants’ experiences. Participants or reward. Consent was obtained from students were not informed about the purpose or scope of prior to the commencement of the study. Students the study. The same two questions were asked after were informed that they could opt-out of the Session 1 and Session 2, as follows study at any point of time without any penalty or • What could you see as you looked at your prejudice. Students were invited to be open-minded hand? in expressing their experiences, to discourage • How did you feel about yourself emotionally anticipatory effects. Sessions were conducted by now? a pranic healer (the first author), and efforts were Coding made to minimize power differentials in the context Participant’s experiences of Session 1 and of the experiment. The entire study took about 15 Session 2 were categorized into different domains minutes to complete, to ensure that eye strain was as physical, psychological, and bioplasmic—with unlikely to be a factor in participant experiences. bioplasmic used to record experiences not fitting In Session 1, participants were asked easily into the first two categories. The recorded to observe their hands without any guidance. experiences of hand descriptions such as redness Participants were given time to write their experiences of the hand, sweating, creases in the palm, and in response to an open-ended questionnaire (see sensations of cold, were categorized in the physical details under Measure). In Session 2, participants domain. Positive and negative thoughts or emotions were guided to view an ALP surrounding their hand experienced during the sessions were categorized and fingers (Sui, 2015). These steps included the in the psychological domain. Positive experiences following instructions: (1) Curl your tongue and let included happiness, excitement, relaxation, calm, it touch your palate; (2) place your hands against strength, boldness, and comfortableness. Negative a light background, preferably white or cream; (3) experiences included tension, disturbance, focus your eyes few inches away from the hand; (4) confusion, and stress. Bioplasmic experiences just be neutral; (5) relax, inhale and exhale slowly. included perception of an outline or ALP around Participants were asked to record any resultant the hand and perceptions of the shape or contour of experiences in writing. an ALP. ALP might be described as a thin white line, a dark outline, a light covering the hand, a thick white line, a moving white line, and so forth. Also Demographic Variable N % recorded here were reported colors associated with ALP such as white, black, red, grey and yellow. Gender Male 12 26 Results and Analysis Female 35 74 Participants’ responses were consolidated, coded, and similar expressions were grouped Age 17–20 33 70 together. Results were tabulated and interpreted, then 21–22 14 30 analyzed statistically using contingency coefficient Religion Hindu 40 85 analysis and chi-square tests. In Session 1, a total of Muslim 5 11 134 coded responses were collected, and in Session Christian 2 4 2, 252 responses were collected. The experiences of the participants were grouped into categories such as Locality Urban 29 62 physical domain, psychological domain, bioplasmic Rural 18 38 domain, and additional expressions. Physical domain. Chi-square test revealed a Table 1. Participant demographics significant decrease in the hand descriptions of the physical domain in the sessions of pre-viewing of

Research Note: Training in Aura Reading International Journal of Transpersonal Studies 173 aura and post-viewing of ALP around the hand (X2= 37.38, p <.001; see Table 2). Description Session X2 p-value Psychological domain. Chi-square test 1 2 showed a significant increase in positive thoughts 2 (X = 6.8, p = .009), and a significant decrease in Hand descriptions 60 0 37.38 <.001 2 negative thoughts (X = 6.63, p = .010) in Session 2. Positive thoughts 50 96 6.8 .009 Bioplasmic domain. Chi-square test for Negative thoughts 24 4 6.63 .010 observations on the presence of outline of the Aura Outline (bioplasmic) 0 62 38.71 <.001 region showed a significant increase X ( 2 = 38 . 71, Contour (bioplasmic) 0 43 26.19 <.001 p < .001) in the session of post-viewing of ALP (Table Colors (bioplasmic) 0 16 16 <.001 2). As depicted in Table 2, chi-square test with respect to the contour of the Aura region (Table 3) showed a Additional comments 0 31 18.32 <.001 significant increase (X2 = 26.19, p < .001) in the session Table 2. Participant coded responses of post-viewing of ALP. When chi-square test was conducted on the responses of participants to the perception of different ALP colors (Table 4), the result Limitations indicated a significant increase in the participant's The study used a relatively small sample observation of colors (X2 = 16.0, p < .001) in Session of 47 students, and there was no control group. 2. With respect to reports of phenomena such as The measure used was not standardized, and glowing, or a blurred or shining image, Chi-square young students at a holistically oriented school analysis revealed a significant increase in Session 2 may have been more susceptible to belief in ALP. (X2 = 18.32, p < .001) as shown in Table 2. Despite precautions, the researchers may have used Discussion language that subtly suggested desired outcomes, While trying to view the hand in Session and students may have been motivated to give 1, the normally visible physical aspect of the hand answers they believed to be desirable. is typically seen. In Session 2, participants were introduced to the technique of viewing ALP around one’s hand. Participants expressed novel sensations Outer line N % and feelings that were found to be substantively different from normally visible physical aspects. Thin white line 34 58 Physical domain. As noted, descriptions Dark outline 10 17 concerning the physical domain were dominant Light covering the hand 8 14 in Session 1. As ALP-related reports increased in Thick white line 5 9 Session 2, physical domain descriptions decreased. Thin line moving 1 2 Psychological domain. Session 2 produced a substantial increase in the number of psychological Table 3. Contour of aura-like phenomena responses, with an approximate doubling of positive experiences and a reduction of negative experiences Color N % as compared with Session 1. Bioplasmic domain. There were no bioplasmic White 12 60 domain responses in Session 1. In Session 2, numerous Black 3 15 bioplasmic responses reported the presence of, color, Red 1 5 and contours associated with an ALP. Grey 3 15 In the present study, we have reported results Yellow 1 5 that open up prospects for further investigations into the viewing of an ALP, the benefit of this experience, and Table 4. Colors of aura-like phenomena its possible utility in the domain of therapeutic work.

174 International Journal of Transpersonal Studies Jois et al. Kafatos, M. C., Chevalier, G., Chopra, D., Hubacher, Conclusion J., Kak, S., & Theise, N. D. (2015). Biofield science: n the current study, it was found that participants Current physics perspectives. Global Advances Ihad the experience of perceiving an ALP around in Health and Medicine, 4(Suppl), 25–34. https:// their hand after training. There was an increase doi.org/10.7453/gahmj.2015.011.suppl. in reports of positive thoughts and experiences Kowalewski, D. (2004). Metaphysical tracking: The associated with the perception of an ALP oldest ecopsychology. International Journal of Transpersonal Studies, 23(1), 65 –74. ht t p: //d x.d oi. References org/10.24972/ijts.2004.23.1.65 Lee, H. C., Khong, P. W., & Ghista, D. N. (2006). Bio- Creath, K., & Schwartz, G. E. (2004). Biophoton energy based medical diagnostic application images of plants: Revealing the light within. based on gas discharge visualization. In The Journal of Alternative & Complementary Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, Medicine, 10(1), 23–26. https://doi.org/10.1089/ 2005. IEEE-EMBS 2005. 27th Annual International 107555304322848922 Conference of the IEEE. (pp. 1533-1536). https:// Frawley, D. (2005). Yoga and the sacred fire: Self- doi.org/10.1109/iembs.2005.1616725 realization and planetary transformation. Twin Lee, S. H., Lee, E. S., & Ahn, S. C. (2004). Method for Lakes, WI: Lotus Press. measuring human body aura and system therefore Feinstein, D. (2018), Energy psychology: Efficacy, (U.S. Patent No. 6,746,397 B2). Washington, DC: speed, mechanisms. Explore. Accepted article in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. press. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.explore.2018.11.003 Milán, E. G., Iborra, O., Hochel, M., Artacho, M. R., Jain, S., & Mills, J. P. (2010). Biofield therapies: Delgado-Pastor, L. C., Salazar, E., & González- Helpful or full of hype? A best evidence synthesis. Hernández. (2012). Auras in mysticism and synaes- International Journal of Behavioural Medicine, thesia: A comparison. Conscious and Cognition, 17(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-009- 21(1), 258–268. https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.concog. 9062-4 2011.11.010 Jalil, S. Z. A., Taib, M. N., Abdullah, H., & Yunus, Prakash, A. C. (2015). Monitoring the human health M. M. (2011). Frequency radiation characteristic by measuring the biofield "aura": An overview. around the human body. International Journal of International Journal of Applied Engineering Simulat io n: Systems, Science & Te chnolo g y, 12(1), Research, 10(35), 27654–27658. 34–39. https://doi.org/10.5013/IJSSST.a.12.01.05 Priyal, V., & Ramkumar, N. (2014). Comparative study Jois, S. N., & D'Souza, L. (2017a). Psychological on individual’s performance orientation and and bioplasmic states of adolescents upon their aura life color. International Journal of Yoga: viewing air and ground prana. Indian Journal of Philosophy, Psychology and Parapsychology, 2(2), Traditional Knowledge, 16(Suppl), S30–S34. 35–41. http://doi.org/10.4103/2347-5633.159126 Jois, S. N., Manasa, B., & D'Souza, L. (2017b). Raina, M. K. (2016). The levels of human Psychological wellbeing by awareness of air prana consciousness and creative functioning: Insights and the aura surrounding a tree among partici- from the theory of pancha kosha (five sheaths pants from different age group. Indian Journal of consciousness). Journal of Transpersonal of Public Health Research & Development, Psychology, 48(2), 168–189. 8(3), 325–330. https://doi.org/10. 5958/0976- Rajagopal, R., Jois, S. N., Mallikarjuna Majgi, S., 5506.2017.00209.1 Anil Kumar, M. N., & Shashidhar, H. B. (2018). Jois, S. N., Manasa. B., & D'Souza, L, Nagendra Prasad Amelioration of mild and moderate depression K (2017c). Sensation of pranic energy between through pranic healing as adjuvant therapy: hands: An exploratory study. Indian Journal of Randomised double-blind controlled trial. Ancient Medicine and Yoga, 10(1), 5–11. https:// Australasian Psychiatry, 26(1), 82–87. https://doi. dx.doi.org/10.21088/ijamy.0974.6986.10117.1 org/10.1177/1039856217726449

Research Note: Training in Aura Reading International Journal of Transpersonal Studies 175 Rowold, J. (2016). Validity of the Biofield Krishnamurthy Nagendra Prasad, PhD, is currently Assessment Form (BAF). European Journal of working as a Senior Research Consultant in World Integrative Medicine, 8(4), 446–452. https://doi. Pranic Healing Foundation India Research Centre. org/10.1016/j.eujim.2016.02.007 He obtained his PhD in Botany at Mysore University, Rubik, B. (2004). Scientific analysis of the human India. He was previously employed as a Senior aura. In: Konstantin G. Korotkov (Ed.). Measuring Research Fellow at Monash University, Malaysia and energy fields: Current Research (pp. 157–170). Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at University Putra, Backbone Publishing Co. Fair Lawn, NJ, USA. Malaysia and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Schwartz, G. E., Swanick, S., Sibert, W., Lewis, D. China. His research interest includes pranic A., Lewis, S. E., Nelson, L., & Tussing, D. (2004). healing, alternative therapies, pranic agriculture, Biofield detection: Role of bioenergy awareness food chemistry, antioxidants, nutraceuticals, food training and individual differences in absorption. component analysis, and food processing. He has Journal of Alternative & Complementary over 76 international publications and many book Medicine, 10(1), 167–169. https://doi. chapters, with an h-index of 31 in Scopus. org/10.1089/107555304322849093 Sui, C.K. (2015). The ancient science and art of pranic Lancy D'Souza, PhD, is currently working as healing (3rd ed.). Bangalore, India: Institute of Associate Professor of Psychology at Maharaja Inner Studies. College, Mysore. He has supervised more than Vivekananda Swami. (2015). Raja yoga (45th ed.). 50 students for their MPhil or PhD in Psychology. Kolkata, India: Advaita Ashrama. He has over 150 publications and 4 books and few book chapters. His research interest includes About the Authors clinical psychology, applied psychology, statistics, and community medicine. He is currently serving Srikanth Nagaraja Jois is currently working as Head as Editor-in-Chief for the International Journal of of Research at World Pranic Healing Foundation India Psychology and Psychiatry. Research Centre. He obtained his Post Diploma in Plastic Mould Design from Central Institute for Plastic About the Journal Engineering Technology, Mysuru. He has earlier worked at West African Pranic Healing Foundation, The International Journal of Transpersonal Studies Gambia. His research interests include pranic healing, is a is a peer-reviewed academic journal in print studies on prana, pranic agriculture, meditation, and since 1981. It is sponsored by the California yoga. He has authored books entitled, Energy of Institute of Integral Studies, published by Pyramids and Traditional Practices in the Gambia and Floraglades Foundation, and serves as the official their Scientific Explanations, along with 30 articles publication of the International Transpersonal published in national and international journals. Association. The journal is available online at www. transpersonalstudies.org, and in print through www. Sowmya Shivarajapura Nagaraj is presently working lulu.com (search for IJTS). as consultant at World Pranic Healing Foundation India Research Centre. She has an MS degree in software systems from Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani. She holds Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from University of Mysore. She has been involved in research and development in the telecom sector and in software development and corporate training. Her interests include teaching, software development, training, writing, and service.

176 International Journal of Transpersonal Studies Jois et al.